Whether you live in Miami or vacationing in Miami, there are some brilliant places to take pictures in this oceanside city. Here are the best photo spots to take photos in Miami:
- South Beach
- Miami Beach Boardwalk
- Surfside
- Brickell
- Wynwood Walls
- Watson Island
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Matheson Hammock Park
- Key Biscayne
- Key West
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1. South Beach
With its colorful lifeguard towers, white sand beaches, and Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive, South Beach is one of Miami’s most photogenic locations. If I think of Miami, I think of the neon-lit hotels and restaurants on the main South Beach boulevard and the lifeguard stations on the sands beyond, so this is our number one best photo spot for taking incredible photographs in Miami.
I would suggest photographing the beach in the late afternoon or early morning when the crowds thin out. Sunrise is when there are few people and the most beautiful light. Sunsets are usually more convenient to photograph, but the beach can be busier. After sunset, head to Ocean Drive. You can walk and photograph all along this strip. Sundays and Mondays tend to be the quietest.
From Ocean Drive, you can walk to some of Miami’s best bars, lounges, and clubs. You can walk to all the seafront cafes and restaurants, and you can walk to the many hotels, designer stores, art studios, food marts, eateries, and clubs on the roads behind. All of these are worth a photo. Your camera or phone will be brimming with shots to use for yourself or sell for cash.
2. Miami Beach Boardwalk
The Miami Beach Boardwalk stretches along the oceanfront from South Beach to North Beach and offers scenic views and easy access to hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Stretching along the oceanfront, the boardwalk offers panoramic views of the beach, skyline, and bustling activity, making it an excellent location for candid and lively shots.
Many of the buildings here and in South Beach are gorgeously Art Deco, so they are ideal for taking arty pictures, and of course, the beach and boardwalk itself both offer up brilliant opportunities for photography.
Buses can take you up the coast to Surfside, so if you want to try a cocktail at the most glamorous resort in the area, Four Seasons Surfside, which is one of the best Four Seasons hotels in the world, you can take a bus up the coast from your base in South Beach.
There are also buses from the airport to the center of South Beach, so public transport to and from this area of Miami isn’t a problem.
If you are looking to stay around here and can stretch to it, the Ritz-Carlton South Beach is one of the best Marriott hotels in Miami and one of the best luxury hotels on South Beach, with one of the best club lounges in Miami.
Another option is Hilton Bentley Miami, South Beach, which is one of the best Hilton hotels in Miami. This beachfront hotel is in the “SoFi” enclave of South Beach, a short walk from dining, nightlife, and the boardwalk.
3. Surfside
If you’re staying in Miami without a car, there are buses that take you up the coast to Surfside so if you want to try a cocktail at the most glamorous resort in the area, Four Seasons Surfside, which is one of the best Four Seasons hotels in the world, you can take a bus up the coast from your base in South Beach.
Four Seasons Surfside is a heavenly beach area that offers a stunning setting to take photographs. It sits north of North Beach. If you can afford it, stay at Four Seasons Surfside for a night. This hotel is the stuff of dreams; you won’t want to leave.
4. Brickell
This downtown neighborhood offers a mix of upscale hotels, restaurants, and shopping options, along with easy access to public transportation, including the Metromover and Metrorail.
Some of the best bars for Happy Hour are housed in Bricknell along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel and Four Seasons Miami is also on the border of the Bricknell area. If you put on your walking boots, you can grab a coffee or a drink at either of these luxury venues, get there on foot, and photograph these venues while you’re there.
Many of the bars in this area are set on rooftop terraces, so they offer a great place to photograph yourself or a cocktail with the setting sun and city skyline behind.
5. Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls is an outdoor street art gallery in the Wynwood Arts District that features vibrant and eclectic murals by renowned artists from around the world, making it a must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts.
The whole of Wynwoody offers a mix of colorful street art and a vibrant arts scene. Wynwood is a trendy neighborhood with plenty of galleries, shops, and restaurants within walking distance. You can inspire your photography in these galleries and then shoot colorful street scenes.
6. Watson Island
Head to Watson Island for breathtaking views of the Miami skyline against the backdrop of Biscayne Bay, which is especially stunning during sunrise or sunset for dramatic cityscape shots.
Watson Island, nestled between Miami and Miami Beach, boasts several picturesque locations perfect for photography enthusiasts. At the forefront is the stunning skyline view of downtown Miami and its towering skyscrapers, especially captivating during sunrise or sunset when the city lights illuminate the horizon. The lush greenery and serene atmosphere of Jungle Island offer opportunities to capture exotic wildlife against a backdrop of tropical foliage.
Additionally, the picturesque MacArthur Causeway Bridge provides a striking architectural element and leads the eye towards the cityscape, making it an ideal spot for capturing dynamic urban scenes. Whether strolling along the waterfront promenade, admiring the panoramic vistas from the park, or capturing the interplay of light and shadow beneath the bridge, Watson Island offers a diverse range of settings to inspire photographers and capture the beauty of Miami’s urban landscape.
7. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
This historic estate features lush gardens, ornate architecture, and stunning waterfront views, ideal for capturing elegant and timeless photographs. Nestled along the shores of Biscayne Bay in Miami, this location presents a wealth of captivating scenes for photography enthusiasts.
The ornate architecture of the main house, inspired by European palaces, provides a majestic backdrop, with its grand facades, intricate detailing, and sweeping staircases offering endless opportunities for architectural photography. Surrounding the estate, meticulously landscaped gardens transport visitors to another era, featuring lush greenery, tranquil ponds, and elegant fountains. The expansive lawns and meticulously maintained pathways invite exploration, while the scenic vistas overlooking the bay provide breathtaking panoramas for landscape photography.
Whether capturing the romance of the Italian Renaissance-inspired gardens, the opulence of the interior spaces, or the serene beauty of the waterfront, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens offers a treasure trove of photographic inspiration.
8. Matheson Hammock Park
This scenic park features a man-made atoll pool, lush foliage, and Biscayne Bay views, offering a picturesque setting for outdoor portraits and nature photography. The park’s iconic feature, the scenic atoll pool, is a favorite spot for capturing reflections of swaying palms and colorful sunsets mirrored in its tranquil waters.
The winding nature trails, shaded by lush mangrove forests, provide opportunities to photograph native wildlife and the serene beauty of the coastal landscape. Additionally, the park’s sandy beaches, with their swaying coconut palms and crystal-clear waters, offer idyllic settings for capturing beach scenes and coastal vistas.
9. Key Biscayne
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Key Biscayne for serene beach views, mangrove forests, and the iconic Cape Florida Lighthouse, offering a tranquil setting for nature-inspired photos.
At the southern tip of the island lies Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, where visitors can capture panoramic views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the Miami skyline in the distance. The park’s pristine beaches, fringed by swaying palm trees and dotted with driftwood, provide endless opportunities for capturing the beauty of the coastal landscape.
Meanwhile, Crandon Park boasts lush tropical gardens, mangrove forests, and scenic walking trails, offering diverse settings for nature photography. The iconic Rickenbacker Causeway, connecting Key Biscayne to the mainland, provides breathtaking vistas of the bay and the downtown Miami skyline, making it a must-visit spot for capturing stunning urban landscapes.
10. Key West
If you’re open to a few hours on a public bus or a decent drive, drive right down to the end of the Florida Keys and park up in Key West. Key West, with its vibrant colors and rich history, offers numerous picture-perfect spots for visitors to capture memorable moments. From the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy marking the tip of the continental United States to the historic architecture and lively atmosphere of Duval Street, there’s no shortage of unique photo opportunities.
Mallory Square’s breathtaking sunsets, the lush gardens and resident cats of the Hemingway House, and the panoramic views from Fort Zachary Taylor State Park all provide stunning backdrops for photography. Whether exploring the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the bustling Key West Historic Seaport, or the intriguing Key West Cemetery, each location offers its own charm and visual appeal, ensuring that photographers of all levels can capture the essence of this vibrant island paradise.
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